You sure had some awesome trips & redemptions this year Luke! I didn't know there was gin in the KLM house until hearing you mention it ... just shook mine and wow there's the liquid sound! My best redemptions this year were for New York -> LA on United Economy at ~3cpp (Turkish Miles&Smiles before the devaluation) and Tokyo -> Dallas on JAL Business for 60,000 AA miles.
@@LukesPointsandMiles Hope you're able to! Best business class flight I've ever taken. Food's amazing and that route also gets the newest seat with the door (at least the flight that I took).
Hey Unc, great line up as always. My best lounge in 2024-Sapphire LaGuardia when my son and I went to Yankees world series game 5 Yanks lost but we had a blast Dad/Son trip together.
I'm only a few months into the credit card game, but I'm having a lot of fun and getting excited to reap all the rewards next year and beyond! Here's to 2025 Luke! Cheers!
Sounds like some nice redemptions! And I love that Carlos stole the blanket!😂. My favorite redemptions this year were Emirates First class, Turkish Biz class on the new A-350, the Moxy in Banff and Liostasi in Greece.
Best flight: Emirates 1st MXP-JFK Runner up: Swiss bis GVA-JFJ Best hotel: Thompson Madrid Runner up: Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile Cheapest flight: CMH-MCO on Spirit for 16 dollars.
KLM business class is super underrated! I really enjoyed that flight. High expectations always lead to the biggest letdowns. I had the same thing happen to me with a SLH property. The stay wasn't terrible, but it doesn't need to be terrible to be let down, because if you pay a ton of points just to have an "okay" stay, it feels like such a waste.
My Big redemption this year Oct-Nov 2 x SFO-CDG 50K Air France Miles 2 x AMS - IAH 50K Air France Miles Hilton Paris Opera: 2 nights x 80K Hilton points Intercontinental Athens: 2 IHG Free Night Certs Palazzo Talia Rome: 2 x FNC Tribune Rome: Hyatt FNC + 15K Hyatt points The Trafalgar St. James: 2 x 80K Hilton points Hotel Indigo Brussels: 28K IHG points Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: 2 x FNC (upgraded to room worth 1900€ a night!) It was a monster of a trip. Only paid cash for transfer between each country and taxes and fees.
Hilton overseas always goes above and beyond. Specially for diamond members. Pro Tip: always email the hotel in advance asking them questions or for any concerns. State your reservation number and dates your staying, as well as your diamond status and if you have it, media company or business (aka TH-cam channel). Guarantee you they will flag your profile as VIP.
Best: 320,000 HH for 5 nights at Tokyo Hilton, upgraded to club level. Worst: Waldorf Las Vegas. Being charged $45 on my folio for valet parking, then being hit up again for another $45 outside (I hadn't yet combed my receipt), put a bad taste in my mouth. They did do their best to make up for a downgraded room due to maintenance, and the double charge. The front desk was up to Waldorf standards, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
My first points ever redemption happened in 2024 is probably going to be hard to beat for me. Took advance of a previous 30% transfer bonus from Virgin. Took the 95k from that to redeem ANA Airlines J RT ORD-HND. That first time in the United Polaris lounge is definitely an upgrade from the standard ones. For lodging, I took the welcome $175k offer from the IHG Premier card and was able to secure 8 nights (2 free nights on 2 4-day stays) at the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand in June. Perfect spot for me. Definitely loving the points and miles game so far.
My best flight was from Vegas during the summers heat wave. How planes fly is effected by the heat so they asked for volunteers. Jumped at it. Wife and I both got $800 certificates and were put in economy plus seats on a plane that left 1 hour later.
With the recent Virgin 40% bonus with Chase in November, I booked a couple of flights through LHR to CDG from IAD on the cheap. My first redemption and we’ll fly in premium thanks to the new dynamic award system Virgin implemented. Really looking forward to that one!
Would love a data breakdown, total points earned, amount of referral points, total number of points redeemed and number of cards for the year, etc. would be nice to see the full picture.
That would be cool. Since I eat and spend in many different currencies though, that will never happen. Haha. I don’t get a ton of referrals though. Something il trying to work on in 2025
That was some serious flying and redemptions, Luke. My biggest redemption this year was a 51,000 point roundtrip flight to Spain, which consisted of a Business Class seat to the destination and a returning flight in Economy. First time in Business, and now I got bit by the bug. Cant see another long transatlantic flight without a reclining seat. Here's to bigger redemptions in the coming year.
@ that’s a good question. It would depend on the times. I have sleep apnea so if it’s an overnight flight I would need a lie flat or I’ll be wasted the following day
We had a great family trip to the Dreams Flora Resort and Spa, DR in June 2024 and for December we are headed to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas (both on points ). 2025 is looking promising with bookings all made on points and free night certificates already in Charleston / Savannah (Mills House / Andaz respectively), Hilton La Romana, DR and then Myrtle Beach, SC.
@ this was all made attainable through your input along with that of other great creators like Stan, Anthony, Sledge, Joe, etc. so greatly appreciated!!
It’s not the best award redemption but I finally flew with ANA’s flying honu(turtle) roundtrip. It wasn’t the best business class but it was something that I’ve always wanted to do. I was always into flying business with points and just stay in cheap Airbnb but now I’m starting to look into staying at nicer hotels. Luckily my mom works for Hilton so I get some discounts and I have gold status with Amex platinum( took the retention offer 😢) now thinking to get the surpass or aspire next year. I’m going to try Marriott too since I have some free nights from opening the boundless card ( will stay at renaissance Honolulu). Going to Europe again next year and looking to get another card but I’m ya 4/24 right now. Which ones do you recommend?
@ I applied for venture x but was denied. I had the venture card before so I can’t get the sign up bonus. I have cap and Bonvoy boundless also the Hilton honors. I’ll be staying in hilton properties next year and thinking to get the surpass but I missed the FNC, the points is good but 130k +fnc would have been better.
Hey Luke sitting on 100k+ Amex, Chase and capital one points/miles. Also 400k Hilton points. Any recommendations on good redemptions from California? I live in LA.
About to spend 7 night might at the Grand Wailea then 5 nights at the Cabo Waldorf in few week for my biggest redemptions yet. Flight redemptions are still a mystery to me.
Great video. We're out of DFW so we only really get exposed to AA flights. Love hearing about other airlines and lounges. Aruba trip review incoming for next Monday.
Our FL Keys trip was completely free - AMEX to Hilton transfer redemptions for hotels Curio and Double Tree and then straight up AA points for the flights.
The Capital One Lounge in DFW is great! I’m headed to Switzerland soon so I’m glad you’ve shared your experience there
@@JacobsPointsAndProfit be ready for how expensive everything is. I blew it off when people told me but it’s for real!!
@ that’s a good tip. I’m intentionally spending fewer days there than other countries
You sure had some awesome trips & redemptions this year Luke! I didn't know there was gin in the KLM house until hearing you mention it ... just shook mine and wow there's the liquid sound!
My best redemptions this year were for New York -> LA on United Economy at ~3cpp (Turkish Miles&Smiles before the devaluation) and Tokyo -> Dallas on JAL Business for 60,000 AA miles.
@@MontyTheCardNerd I want to hit that Dallas to Tokyo flight one day!!
@@LukesPointsandMiles Hope you're able to! Best business class flight I've ever taken. Food's amazing and that route also gets the newest seat with the door (at least the flight that I took).
@@MontyTheCardNerd I like that!!!
Hey Unc, great line up as always. My best lounge in 2024-Sapphire LaGuardia when my son and I went to Yankees world series game 5 Yanks lost but we had a blast Dad/Son trip together.
@@jonathanbradley5383 big time dad! I need to check out that lounge
@LukesPointsandMiles Yes Sir. Also, Thank you for your Naval Service. USMC vet here.
@ nice! I was on an amphibious ship so I served with lots of marines!!!
I'm only a few months into the credit card game, but I'm having a lot of fun and getting excited to reap all the rewards next year and beyond!
Here's to 2025 Luke! Cheers!
@@kanicshep thanks for stopping by!!!
Best Hotel for me this year was the Conrad Tokyo by far! Amazing hotel. I was upgraded to a corner suite room as a Dimond member!
Sounds like some nice redemptions! And I love that Carlos stole the blanket!😂. My favorite redemptions this year were Emirates First class, Turkish Biz class on the new A-350, the Moxy in Banff and Liostasi in Greece.
@@mostlyfreetravel those are big league redemptions. I’m jealous!
Hilton. For the Stay. Hoping to land some great biz class redemptions to Europe for 2025! Thanks for the recap info + video!
@@jimmyjames6492 thanks for stopping by, Jimmy!!
Best flight: Emirates 1st MXP-JFK
Runner up: Swiss bis GVA-JFJ
Best hotel: Thompson Madrid
Runner up: Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
Cheapest flight: CMH-MCO on Spirit for 16 dollars.
@@887363 wow. That’s some nice work!!
KLM business class is super underrated! I really enjoyed that flight.
High expectations always lead to the biggest letdowns. I had the same thing happen to me with a SLH property. The stay wasn't terrible, but it doesn't need to be terrible to be let down, because if you pay a ton of points just to have an "okay" stay, it feels like such a waste.
@@jpknowledge8852 JP speaks the truth!!!
My Big redemption this year Oct-Nov
2 x SFO-CDG 50K Air France Miles
2 x AMS - IAH 50K Air France Miles
Hilton Paris Opera: 2 nights x 80K Hilton points
Intercontinental Athens: 2 IHG Free Night Certs
Palazzo Talia Rome: 2 x FNC
Tribune Rome: Hyatt FNC + 15K Hyatt points
The Trafalgar St. James: 2 x 80K Hilton points
Hotel Indigo Brussels: 28K IHG points
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: 2 x FNC (upgraded to room worth 1900€ a night!)
It was a monster of a trip. Only paid cash for transfer between each country and taxes and fees.
Legit!
Dope redemptions. 🤙. What opera did u attend?
@@newagain9964it was a hotel in central Paris. Opera was a location of Paris
Creating great memories.
@@augiestravels 💯
Hilton overseas always goes above and beyond. Specially for diamond members. Pro Tip: always email the hotel in advance asking them questions or for any concerns. State your reservation number and dates your staying, as well as your diamond status and if you have it, media company or business (aka TH-cam channel). Guarantee you they will flag your profile as VIP.
Thanks for the tip!!
Best: 320,000 HH for 5 nights at Tokyo Hilton, upgraded to club level.
Worst: Waldorf Las Vegas. Being charged $45 on my folio for valet parking, then being hit up again for another $45 outside (I hadn't yet combed my receipt), put a bad taste in my mouth. They did do their best to make up for a downgraded room due to maintenance, and the double charge. The front desk was up to Waldorf standards, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
@@thejokerspeaks sorry to hear that! That’s disappointing
Economy banger was 12k from BOS to VIE on Air France.
@@mattdarling9450 wow. No words! Nice work
My first points ever redemption happened in 2024 is probably going to be hard to beat for me. Took advance of a previous 30% transfer bonus from Virgin. Took the 95k from that to redeem ANA Airlines J RT ORD-HND. That first time in the United Polaris lounge is definitely an upgrade from the standard ones. For lodging, I took the welcome $175k offer from the IHG Premier card and was able to secure 8 nights (2 free nights on 2 4-day stays) at the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand in June. Perfect spot for me. Definitely loving the points and miles game so far.
@@snegrn very impressive!!
My best flight was from Vegas during the summers heat wave. How planes fly is effected by the heat so they asked for volunteers. Jumped at it.
Wife and I both got $800 certificates and were put in economy plus seats on a plane that left 1 hour later.
@@billwright2176 nice move!!
With the recent Virgin 40% bonus with Chase in November, I booked a couple of flights through LHR to CDG from IAD on the cheap. My first redemption and we’ll fly in premium thanks to the new dynamic award system Virgin implemented. Really looking forward to that one!
@@TLyons12 that’s a pro move. Love virgin miles!!
Would love a data breakdown, total points earned, amount of referral points, total number of points redeemed and number of cards for the year, etc. would be nice to see the full picture.
That would be cool. Since I eat and spend in many different currencies though, that will never happen. Haha. I don’t get a ton of referrals though. Something il trying to work on in 2025
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Blackfriars and Park Hyatt Vienna both were great with the Park Hyatt being especcially good.
I may look into those. Vienna is on our list!
Hoping in a few years when stuff calms down in the Middle East I'll have the chase points for a 5night stay in Rome Italy. Estimated 350-425k points.
@@Andrew14206 let’s hope it calms down. My son wants to visit Jerusalem
That was some serious flying and redemptions, Luke. My biggest redemption this year was a 51,000 point roundtrip flight to Spain, which consisted of a Business Class seat to the destination and a returning flight in Economy. First time in Business, and now I got bit by the bug. Cant see another long transatlantic flight without a reclining seat. Here's to bigger redemptions in the coming year.
@@EduardoHernandez-vv8ey nice move! I can’t wait to visit Spain again!!
If you were only doing Business class for one leg, would you take it going or coming back?
@ that’s a good question. It would depend on the times. I have sleep apnea so if it’s an overnight flight I would need a lie flat or I’ll be wasted the following day
@@LukesPointsandMiles I feel you on the sleep apnea; it can be a beast. I think the product would be my deciding factor.
@ i honestly don’t think I would fly in economy overseas. Just not worth my time.
We had a great family trip to the Dreams Flora Resort and Spa, DR in June 2024 and for December we are headed to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas (both on points ). 2025 is looking promising with bookings all made on points and free night certificates already in Charleston / Savannah (Mills House / Andaz respectively), Hilton La Romana, DR and then Myrtle Beach, SC.
@@ryanccc777 oh man! Big timing!!
@ this was all made attainable through your input along with that of other great creators like Stan, Anthony, Sledge, Joe, etc. so greatly appreciated!!
hey bud, I have redeemed alot of pts and gotta love the free trip and hotels. I have used 2 FNC due to my IHG and my 4th night free.
4th night free is super valuable!
@@LukesPointsandMiles I agree
It’s not the best award redemption but I finally flew with ANA’s flying honu(turtle) roundtrip. It wasn’t the best business class but it was something that I’ve always wanted to do. I was always into flying business with points and just stay in cheap Airbnb but now I’m starting to look into staying at nicer hotels. Luckily my mom works for Hilton so I get some discounts and I have gold status with Amex platinum( took the retention offer 😢) now thinking to get the surpass or aspire next year. I’m going to try Marriott too since I have some free nights from opening the boundless card ( will stay at renaissance Honolulu). Going to Europe again next year and looking to get another card but I’m ya 4/24 right now. Which ones do you recommend?
@@BoywithLoveeee that’s a tough question. There are so many great cards out there right now.
@ I applied for venture x but was denied. I had the venture card before so I can’t get the sign up bonus. I have cap and Bonvoy boundless also the Hilton honors. I’ll be staying in hilton properties next year and thinking to get the surpass but I missed the FNC, the points is good but 130k +fnc would have been better.
@ love the Hilton fnc’s. I want to collect a few this year
I lol’d at the “little nerds” comment.. its always the keyboard warriors😂
@@Andrew_ryan_ 🤣 only joking! I have tho throw in some entertainment in there.
Hey Luke sitting on 100k+ Amex, Chase and capital one points/miles. Also 400k Hilton points. Any recommendations on good redemptions from California? I live in LA.
Bruh. 😂
@ what?
@@robertlopez3457 there is so many from lax I couldn’t even begin to guess which one you’d like most. You have a ton of possibilities
About to spend 7 night might at the Grand Wailea then 5 nights at the Cabo Waldorf in few week for my biggest redemptions yet.
Flight redemptions are still a mystery to me.
@@LeftCoastPhil nice. Grand Wailea is next level!!
Surpass got me 5 free stays in Italy.
Still got 100k mrp
@@jackoconnell1852 nice work!!
Im planning on going to the Kimpton Seafire with my wife
@@M2K-01 awesome! Maybe we will see you there!!!!
Great video. We're out of DFW so we only really get exposed to AA flights. Love hearing about other airlines and lounges. Aruba trip review incoming for next Monday.
Sounds great! I tried to send my wife to Aruba but she waited too long and the hotel price went up!
Our FL Keys trip was completely free - AMEX to Hilton transfer redemptions for hotels Curio and Double Tree and then straight up AA points for the flights.
@@LukesPointsandMiles The Hilton there looks amazing and it's in the best location on the island. She'd love it.
@@RICHwithPOINTS I’m a big fan of AA miles
First
@@amandaholt3867 thanks, Charlie !!